Council green lights three-month mall skateboarding trial

Skateboarding will be allowed in a section of Alice Springs' Todd Mall on a trial basis.

The pastime had been banned in the mall, despite the council constructing purpose-built furniture for skateboarding during the redevelopment.

Several teenagers have also been fined for skating on the furniture

However, last night the council voted to approve a three-month trial in a section at the northern end of Todd Street, allowing skateboards to use the furniture after 4:00pm (ACST) on weekdays and on weekends.

Councillor Chancey Paech says it is a chance for skateboarders to show they can share the space with the rest of the community.

"I think it is important to give skateboarders a chance because they are an important part of community," he said.

"I met with of a group of 20 of them prior to the meeting last night and they were really happy and welcomed to be in the mall where they can been seen and [be] part of the community."

The trial will begin after council staff investigate public liability insurance and an advertising campaign is conducted to inform residents.

Meanwhile, former Alice Springs alderman Murray Stewart says he is angry about the trial.

Mr Stewart says it is a stitch-up because skateboarders and their organiser Matt Day attended a pre-council consultation on the issue but he was denied access.

"Matt Day was obviously ... given privileged access last night whereas people with disabilities and seniors, who I don't purport to represent all of their views but I certainly through my time on council have been very much across their perspectives, and so their view from someone like me was denied last night," he said.

Council chief executive Rex Mooney says it is his fault Mr Stewart was refused entry to a consultation meeting about skateboarding last night.

The pre-council meeting was scheduled before a move to reintroduce skateboarding into the mall during the ordinary council meeting.

"I had spoken, as Mr Stewart said we had spoken prior to that when I indicated that there would be that opportunity to come in and I invited Mr Stewart to come in and as I say it was entirely my fault, I apologise to Mr Stewart for not subsequently advising that there was going to be a closed meeting," he said.